Vic General News

15 Apr 2015 - Weaker AUD driving caravaning growth - The Australian

CARAVANING and camping are becoming big business as Australians sideline international trips in favour of holidaying at home thanks to the falling Australian dollar. IBISWORLD senior industry analyst Ryan Lin says an increase in domestic tourism by Australians is driving camping grounds, caravan parks and caravan dealers alike. "It is becoming a lot more expensive now to travel overseas due to the low dollar," Mr Lin says. "The travellers who are a lot more cost conscious may want to take a trip around somewhere at home as opposed to book costly travel to the United States or to Europe."

FEES at 70 basic campgrounds around Victoria will be scrapped and refunds given to families who have forked out for Easter holiday trips. In news that will see some happy campers set off this weekend, basic site fees of $13 a night, introduced by the former Napthine Government in July, will be abolished.

Campers are alert to the free camping situation because it is dear to their hearts. Little saddens them more than its gradual disappearance – unless it is the disappearance of camp grounds altogether. The main reason campers value free camping is not because it is free but because it is customary.Free camping on Crown land is a practice that dates back to first settlement. Older campers (especially Grey Nomads, a group particularly attached to free camping), remember that until the 1960s it was normal to camp by the side of the road. And a certain amount of free camping has always been allowed in Victoria's national parks — until next March, if the department has its way.

VICTORIAN Premier Denis Napthine and Environment Minister Ryan Smith must believe all families receive the same income as their own political salaries and perks.The proposed penny-pinching assault on families wishing to camp in Victorian National Parks by charging up to $59 per night is an affront to the community (The Border Mail, October 24).

This potential park fee introduction and increase would financially restrict families and others the basic experience of Australian bush camping and its pleasures — an Australian tradition that should be encouraged.

New national park camping fees are set to put the squeeze on grey nomads but will make private caravan parks more viable.The state government plans to introduce camping fees in 11 national parks and increase fees at 24 parks. Another 98 parks or reserves will also charge fees by 2015, raising an estimated $13.5 million.Environment minister Ryan Smith blamed a $178 million budget shortfall for the rise and said the money raised would return to the parks.

Mr Smith estimated that costs would rise by $16 to $20 for a site. He said this was the first fee rise in 10 years."We need to make Victorians to understand there hasn't been an increase in a very long time," he said.The government did not expect the "modest" price rises to affect demand," Mr Smith said.

FAMILIES will have to pay to stay at more than 100 of Victoria's national park campgrounds for the first time, under a Napthine Government plan.And the cost of camping at premium sites where fees already apply will be hiked from an average $37 a night to about $59 a night.The Government is proposing the user-pays model - likely to be phased in from March - which it says as fairer for taxpayers and more sustainable.The first stage would see 11 of Victoria's free park campgrounds introduce fees of about $19 a night on average, while 24 parks that already have fees would see increases.The other 98 parks or reserves in Victoria would have camping fees by 2015 under the plan, which is expected to raise at least $13.5 million a year.

"Every conventional industry depends directly or indirectly upon spending by travellers, although the links may not immediately be apparent. The benefits of the tourism dollar are spread well beyond the hotel lobby, filtering through to the petrol pump, the corner store and even the local mechanic. This flow on is referred to as the indirect economic contribution of tourism." Interesting comment from page 18 of the report

They say it is a great way for schools to make extra money and prevent vandalism by occupying the site when it would normally be vacant.

Undated Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry - The Victorian Caravan parks AssociationIt is interesting in relation to free camping the document calls it "Unregulated Competition" while in other Associations documents they insist their objection is not about competition. Also interesting the 30% of their members run CPs on public lands but object to individuals camping on public land.